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CRAIG FERGUSON TO STAR IN NEW NBC PILOT

NBC has cast Craig Ferguson, Kyle Howard and Kellee Stewart for the network’s hybrid game show/comedy pilot “Crunch Time,” Variety has learned.
The multi-camera comedy concept will cut between a real game show and the scripted workplace that centers on an up-and-coming producer trying to wrangle the volatile host, Toby (Ferguson). Howard will play Jake, the game show’s head writer and a hipster playwright, who only sticks with the show for the money and his friendship with Emily (the as-yet uncast producer). Stewart will portray Marcelle, Emily’s best friend and confidante, who also works on the game show within the show.

The multi-camera comedy concept will cut between a real game show and the scripted workplace that centers on an up-and-coming producer trying to wrangle the volatile host, Toby (Ferguson). Howard will play Jake, the game show’s head writer and a hipster playwright, who only sticks with the show for the money and his friendship with Emily (the as-yet uncast producer). Stewart will portray Marcelle, Emily’s best friend and confidante, who also works on the game show within the show.

The series hails from Universal Television, David Janollari Entertainment and The Gurin Company. Betsy Thomas wrote the pilot script and will executive produce alongside David Janollari and Phil Gurin, from an original idea by Gurin. The show marks a reunion for “My Boys” creator Thomas and Howard and Stewart, who both starred in the TBS series.

Ferguson currently hosts History Channel’s “Join Or Die,” following his exit as host of CBS’ “The Late Late Show.” Howard most recently appeared on TBS’ “Your Family or Mine,” “Minority Report” and “Royal Pains.” Stewart has had roles in “The Soul Man,” and “Hot Tub Time Machine” and its sequel.